No one likes the first signs of a common cold coming on - sniffles, sneezing, sore throat and runny nose. It then makes you think about taking leave from work, family members and if you will all come down with it together. We all want to bounce back as fast as we can to minimise the fallout and prevent things dragging on for weeks. Chinese Medicine has strategies to support your body through the various stages of a cold from acute onset to post acute and back to a full recovery. Let's take a look at some options for the common cold.
Here are my favourite formulas I use for the initial stages of a cold for myself and for my clients if they need immune support.
1. Gui Zhi Tang (桂枝汤) – Cinnamon Twig Decoction
Best for the person who feels: COLD and TIRED at the initial stages of a common cold
Key Herbs: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Da Zao (Jujube), Gan Cao (Licorice).
Modern Use: Early-stage colds with mild symptoms, especially in individuals with weak constitutions or baseline of tiredness.
2. Yin Qiao San (银翘散) – Honeysuckle & Forsythia Powder
Best for the person who feels: SORE THROAT at the initial stages of a common cold
How it works: Clears heat, detoxifies, and expels external pathogens.
Key Herbs: Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Bo He (Mint), Jie Geng (Platycodon), Niu Bang Zi (Burdock).
Modern Use: Commonly used for viral colds and early-stage flu, especially when sore throat and fever are prominent.
3. Sang Ju Yin (桑菊饮) – Mulberry Leaf & Chrysanthemum Decoction
Best for the person who feels: DRYNESS - dry throat and cough at the initial stages of a common cold.
Key Herbs: Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel), Lian Qiao (Forsythia).
Modern Use: Often used for mild viral colds where cough and throat irritation are the main symptoms.
4. Xiao Qing Long Tang (小青龙汤) – Minor Blue-Green Dragon Decoction
Best for the person who feels: PHLEGM, nasal congestion, and wheezing.
Key Herbs: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Ban Xia (Pinellia).
Modern Use: Used for colds with significant mucus production, runny nose, and wheezing symptoms.
How do I take Chinese Herbs for a common cold?
When I trained at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) back at the start of the 2000's, we had access to the student acupuncture and herbal clinics to get practical experience. We would observe our teachers consult with everyday people that came in to the clinic and watch them prescribe herbal formulas based on their knowledge and experience as professionals.
I loved the herbal clinic - it dealt in RAW herbs and so there were numerous drawers full of all kinds of twigs, roots, leaves, seeds and more. The smell was wonderful, we could look and get to know each herb by touching, feeling and understanding their therapeutic actions. I'll treasure those memories of learning Chinese Herbal Medicine that way. the way it is mostly practised in China itself.
For patient compliance, I now prescribe POWDERED herbs that can be dissolved in hot water or CAPSULES. Capsules are a good option for kids, teens or people who don't like the taste of herbs. But mostly herbs don't taste too unpleasant - more like a neutral or earthy taste. Bitter herbs do taste bitter! And if I prescribe bitter herbs, I tend to let my patients know before taking them.
In terms of potency, strongest is Raw herbs, then powdered herbs, then capsules, then pills.
Using Chinese Herbal Medicine safely
If you're concerned about the severity, you should always go and see a doctor first. If the cold is mild or manageable on your own and you're really just 'waiting it out', this is where Chinese Herbs may assist in getting you feeling back to normal sooner.
Please note: I am always cautious about clients already taking other medication. When you mention this in your intake form or initial consultation, I can check if herbs are (a) appropriate and (b) possible with your current medications. For my clients, I check with herb manufacturers or suppliers about drug interactions and if I think it requires more caution, I will advise not to take chinese herbs. But this depends on the medication and IF there are drug interactions.
It goes without saying, having a professional Chinese Herbalist look at your situation to determine the best choice going forward it the way for you to get the best outcome. These formulas are best used under the guidance of a trained Chinese Medicine Practitioner to ensure the right diagnosis, herb selection and follow up treatment for you. As the cold progress, symptoms change and then the herbs also need to change. Using Chinese Herbs to the best of their ability is about adapting as the nature of your symptoms change.
If you're on Sydney's Northern Beaches and interested in trying Chinese Herbal medicine to support your immune system either preventatively or to manage a minor or mild cold, you can make contact with me here. We can have a chat to see whether Chinese Herbs are a good fit for your situation.
Further reading about Chinese Herbal Medicine + common cold:
Chinese Medicine and Kids Coughs and colds
